Who’s in your crew?

I read a lot and like to make sure I take lessons out of the books I read.

Last week I read Janine Garner’s ‘It’s who you know‘. It was the first book in a long time that made me go ‘oh sh1t!’ as I realised that my ‘network’ was not what it should be.

Now, before you vomit at the very mention of ‘your network’ or ‘networking’, bear with me.

In the book, Janine sets out the concept of a ‘core four’; or the four critical people to your success (however you choose to define that). These four people will educate you, support you, cheer for you and kick your butt for you.

Worryingly, I realised that I didn’t have a particularly strong ‘core four’, never mind the 12 key people that the book later goes onto describe.

I previously considered myself ‘fairly well connected but with room for improvement’, but only a few pages into the book I uncomfortably realised that my network is in fact, pretty narrow.

Luckily, Garner provides a lot of very practical advice and activities on how to fill the gaps; from enhancing existing relationships in a way that adds value in both directions to creating new, more diverse connections.

The book is not about schmoozing or scattergun business card deposits at conferences, this is about quality, genuine connections and relationships that will help you elevate your career, expand your mind and solve your problems.

I also found myself reflecting on my role in my network – what role do I want to play? Am I already doing that? How could I add more value?

This is a book I will come back to again and again (and wish I’d read years ago) and is hugely relevant at any point of your career, regardless of your ambitions.

What are you waiting for? Go forth and connect.

“You are the average of the five people you most associate with.”

Jim Rohn

Steph Clarke

I’m an accountant turned learning and development professional. I’ve spent the last 12+ years in professional services and for eight of those worked with people like you to help them become better, more productive leaders. When I’m not creating and curating killer content for you to put into action you’ll find me in the pilates studio, on the tennis court, in the kitchen, on a plane or hiding somewhere with a podcast or a good Spotify playlist.